Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
G. Zittis, M. Almazroui, P. Alpert, P. Ciais, W. Cramer, Y. Dahdal, M. Fnais, D. Francis, P. Hadjinicolaou, F. Howari, A. Jrrar, D. G. Kaskaoutis, M. Kulmala, G. Lazoglou, N. Mihalopoulos, X. Lin, Y. Rudich, J. Sciare, G. Stenchikov, E. Xoplaki, J. Lelieveld
Summary: Observation-based and modeling studies have identified the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region as a prominent climate change hotspot. The region's greenhouse gas emissions are rapidly increasing, leading to faster warming compared to other inhabited regions. Projected future trends include continued warming and an increase in extreme weather events. The region's vulnerability to climate change highlights the importance of adaptation and resilience strategies for sectors at risk.
REVIEWS OF GEOPHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Barrak Alahmad, Ana Maria Vicedo-Cabrera, Kai Chen, Eric Garshick, Aaron S. Bernstein, Joel Schwartz, Petros Koutrakis
Summary: The effects of climate change on the hot desert environment of the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in Kuwait, are uncertain. However, it is predicted that average temperatures will rise and this will increase heat-related mortality, especially among vulnerable populations such as migrant workers. The severity of the impact depends on the climate change scenarios, with more extreme scenarios leading to higher mortality rates.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shlomit Paz, Azeem Majeed, George K. Christophides
Summary: The EMME region is experiencing rapid population growth, socioeconomic disparities, climate warming, increased heat waves, and a drier climate. Climate change contributes to political instability through displacement of people, food insecurity, and increased violence, with a greater impact on vulnerable populations. Cooperation among countries is essential to address the impacts of climate change on infectious diseases.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Veronika Weilnhammer, Jonas Schmid, Isabella Mittermeier, Fabian Schreiber, Linmiao Jiang, Vedran Pastuhovic, Caroline Herr, Stefanie Heinze
Summary: Most studies in Europe have shown that extreme heat and cold events, droughts, wildfires, and floods have negative impacts on human health, including overall mortality, cardiovascular and respiratory mortality, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and mental health. However, due to the heterogeneity in study designs, quality, exposure, and outcome assessment, the associations between these extreme weather events and health impacts are not conclusive. Additional high-quality studies are needed to confirm these results and further explore the effects of other extreme weather events in Europe.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Yu-Jin Kwon, Hye Sun Lee, Go Eun Park, Ji-Won Lee
Summary: This study examined the association between dietary fiber intake and all-cause mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) using representative Korean cohort data. The results showed an inverse relationship, with small increments in fiber intake reducing the risk of all-cause mortality by 37%. This finding highlights the importance of promoting fiber intake among the Korean CKD population as an inexpensive but significant dietary modification strategy.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Chenkai Wu, Kehan Zhang, Michelle C. Odden, Anna M. Kucharska-Newton, Priya Palta, Kunihiro Matsushita, Rebecca F. Gottesman, B. Gwen Windham
Summary: The study found that a high burden of subclinical vascular disease in middle-aged adults is associated with an increased risk of premature mortality, providing better predictive ability for premature death. When designing interventions to reduce premature mortality, the importance of considering subclinical vascular disease factors should be taken into account.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benjamin Plackett
Summary: Sickle-cell disease is prevalent in the Middle East, with 2.6% of the population in some areas affected by this genetic disorder. Adlette Inati, a specialist in clinical haematology at the Lebanese American University, and president of a foundation supporting sickle-cell disease patients in Lebanon, discusses the potential benefits of genetic screening in this region.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amin Dezfuli, Saman Razavi, Benjamin F. Zaitchik
Summary: This study analyzes the impact of climate change on environmental, agricultural, water conflict, and public health issues in the Middle East. The climate model projections suggest that the region will experience reduced precipitation, increased temperature, and enhanced interannual variability of precipitation, especially in the Tigris-Euphrates headwaters. The findings highlight the risks to the viability of the Southeastern Anatolia Project and downstream water security, as well as the potential for water-related conflicts and migration in the region.
Article
Rheumatology
Anne M. Kerola, Amirhossein Kazemi, Silvia Rollefstad, Siri Lillegraven, Joseph Sexton, Grunde Wibetoe, Espen A. Haavardsholm, Tore K. Kvien, Anne Grete Semb
Summary: This nationwide registry-based cohort study explored mortality and causes of death among Norwegian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) compared with the general population. The study found that even in the era of modern treatments, RA and axSpA patients still have a shortened life expectancy. The leading causes of death for all patient groups as well as the general population were cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, and respiratory diseases.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ramachandran S. Vasan, Danielle M. Enserro, Vanessa Xanthakis, Alexa S. Beiser, Sudha Seshadri
Summary: This study examined the remaining lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease over the past six decades in a predominantly White community-based cohort. The findings revealed that average life expectancy increased while the risk of cardiovascular disease decreased. This highlights the importance of continued and effective primary prevention efforts, as well as better screening and treatment of risk factors.
Article
Microbiology
Jamshaid Iqbal, Suhail Ahmad, Mohammad Al-Awadhi, Amir Masud, Zainab Mohsin, Abdullah Y. Abdulrasoul, Khalifa Albenwan, Nadia Alenezi, Fatima AlFarsi
Summary: The study found that neurocysticercosis (NCC) is predominantly imported to Kuwait by expatriates from taeniasis-endemic countries, who then transmit the infection to Kuwaiti citizens. The most common symptoms of NCC patients included seizures, persistent headaches with or without fever, and fits or loss of consciousness. Multiple cases of NCC were identified within families, with infection linked to domestic workers from taeniasis-endemic countries.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lena Gurriaran, Katsumasa Tanaka, Safak Bayram, Yiannis Proestos, Jos Lelieveld, Philippe Ciais
Summary: Rising global temperatures in the Arabian Peninsula region have led to increased demand for air conditioning, resulting in higher electricity consumption and CO2 emissions. This study focuses on Qatar as a representative country to understand the impact of future regional warming on electricity demand and CO2 emissions. The findings indicate that temperature has a relatively small effect compared to socioeconomic factors, but warming alone could increase electricity demand by 5-35% and CO2 emissions by 20-35% by the end of the century.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ayesha Fawad, Andreas Bergmann, Janin Schulte, Zahra A. Butt, Peter M. Nilsson, Louise Bennet, Marju Orho-Melander, Olle Melander
Summary: This study found that high levels of proneurotensin are associated with increased mortality risk in middle-aged individuals, particularly for deaths related to cardiovascular disease, digestive tract disease, mental and behavioral disease, and unspecific causes.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Marco Neira, Kamil Erguler, Hesam Ahmady-Birgani, Nisreen DaifAllah AL-Hmoud, Robin Fears, Charalambos Gogos, Nina Hobbhahn, Maria Koliou, Leondios G. Kostrikis, Jos Lelieveld, Azeem Majeed, Shlomit Paz, Yinon Rudich, Amal Saad-Hussein, Mohammed Shaheen, Aurelio Tobias, George Christophides
Summary: Human health is affected by climate change in complex ways, and the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region is particularly vulnerable to climatic factors such as extreme heat, water shortages, air pollution, vector-borne diseases, and population displacement. To address these challenges, research priorities include studying the relationship between climate change and specific health outcomes, evaluating the effects of climate change on vulnerable populations, understanding the ecological determinants of human health, and assessing the interactions between adaptation and mitigation strategies. Collaborative efforts among EMME nations are necessary for effective adaptation and mitigation policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Beate R. Ritz
Summary: This commentary focuses on the research of the health effects of air pollution, providing an overview of the contributions and controversies in environmental epidemiology. Epidemiologists have introduced new methodologies and concepts, generating data for environmental policies and prevention. The rapidly changing conditions of the planet challenge them to address new environmental health questions.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Barrak Alahmad, Linda Powers Tomasso, Ali Al-Hemoud, Peter James, Petros Koutrakis
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Barrak Alahmad, Ahmed F. Shakarchi, Haitham Khraishah, Mohammad Alseaidan, Janvier Gasana, Ali Al-Hemoud, Petros Koutrakis, Mary A. Fox
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Barrak Alahmad, Hussam Kurdi, Kyle Colonna, Janvier Gasana, Jacqueline Agnew, Mary A. Fox
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mariam Buqammaz, Janvier Gasana, Barrak Alahmad, Mohammed Shebl, Dalia Albloushi
Summary: The prevalence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) among migrant workers in Kuwait is 20.4%, with age, years of experience, and self-reported noise exposure being significant risk factors. Type of industry was not a statistically significant predictor of ONIHL, emphasizing the importance of local authorities in providing training and controls to reduce noise exposure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Barrak Alahmad, Ali Al-Hemoud, Choong-Min Kang, Fhaid Almarri, Venkateswarlu Kommula, Jack M. Wolfson, Aaron S. Bernstein, Eric Garshick, Joel Schwartz, Petros Koutrakis
Summary: The study in Kuwait found that in the desert climate, dust storms and harsh weather conditions pose challenges for air sampling, leading to significantly higher levels of PM2.5 compared to the U.S. air quality standard. Regional pollution was the main source of PM2.5, with dust storms and road dust also playing significant roles.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Soad Albahar, Jing Li, Mustafa Al-Zoughool, Ali Al-Hemoud, Janvier Gasana, Hassan Aldashti, Barrak Alahmad
Summary: The study explores the association between the concentration of PM2.5, a major component of dust in arid regions, and the risk of respiratory hospital admissions in Kuwait. The findings show that short-term exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of respiratory admissions, especially among children under 15 years of age. Reducing the average exposure level could significantly decrease respiratory admissions, providing important insights for public health authorities in Kuwait and other dust-prone countries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Barrak Alahmad, Ana Maria Vicedo-Cabrera, Kai Chen, Eric Garshick, Aaron S. Bernstein, Joel Schwartz, Petros Koutrakis
Summary: The effects of climate change on the hot desert environment of the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in Kuwait, are uncertain. However, it is predicted that average temperatures will rise and this will increase heat-related mortality, especially among vulnerable populations such as migrant workers. The severity of the impact depends on the climate change scenarios, with more extreme scenarios leading to higher mortality rates.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Barrak Alahmad, Haitham Khraishah, Dominic Roye, Ana Maria Vicedo-Cabrera, Yuming Guo, Stefania I. Papatheodorou, Souzana Achilleos, Fiorella Acquaotta, Ben Armstrong, Michelle L. Bell, Shih-Chun Pan, Micheline de Sousa Zanotti Stagliorio Coelho, Valentina Colistro, Tran Ngoc Dang, Do Van Dung, Francesca K. De Donato, Alireza Entezari, Yue-Liang Leon Guo, Masahiro Hashizume, Yasushi Honda, Ene Indermitte, Carmen Iniguez, Jouni J. K. Jaakkola, Ho Kim, Eric Lavigne, Whanhee Lee, Shanshan Li, Joana Madureira, Fatemeh Mayvaneh, Hans Orru, Ala Overcenco, Martina S. Ragettli, Niilo R. I. Ryti, Paulo Hilario Nascimento Saldiva, Noah Scovronick, Xerxes Seposo, Francesco Sera, Susana Pereira Silva, Massimo Stafoggia, Aurelio Tobias, Eric Garshick, Aaron S. Bernstein, Antonella Zanobetti, Joel Schwartz, Antonio Gasparrini, Petros Koutrakis
Summary: A study found that exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. The study used data from 567 cities in 27 countries and found a positive correlation between high and low temperatures and mortality from various cardiovascular diseases. The highest risks were observed for heart attacks and stroke during exposure to extreme temperatures.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Barrak Alahmad, Jing Li, Souzana Achilleos, Fahd Al-Mulla, Ali Al-Hemoud, Petros Koutrakis
Summary: This study analyzed the acute impact of PM2.5 on daily mortality in Kuwait between 2001 and 2016. The results showed that a 10 μg/m³ increase in PM2.5 was associated with a 1.19% increase in all-cause mortality. The study also found that reducing annual PM2.5 concentrations by 10 μg/m³ could avert 52.3 deaths each year in Kuwait, including Kuwaitis, non-Kuwaitis, children, and the elderly.
JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Barrak Alahmad, Ali Al-Hemoud, Mohammed Al-Bouwarthan, Haitham Khraishah, Mohamed Kamel, Qassem Akrouf, David H. Wegman, Aaron S. Bernstein, Petros Koutrakis
Summary: Despite the ban on midday work, there is a significant increase in the risk of occupational injuries from extreme hot temperatures in Kuwait.
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Barrak Alahmad, Dawoud AlMekhled, Katie Busalacchi, Wei-Chen Wang
Summary: During the initial COVID-19 vaccine rollout, supplies were scarce, leading to rationing. Gulf countries prioritized their nationals over migrant workers for vaccination, which raised ethical concerns. This article argues for fair and inclusive vaccine allocation policies, considering principles of global justice, reciprocity, and the potential harm caused by excluding non-nationals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Barrak Alahmad, Haitham Khraishah, Khalid Althalji, William Borchert, Fahd Al-Mulla, Petros Koutrakis
Summary: Climate change and air pollution worsen each other, leading to adverse effects on cardiovascular health. Increased hot climates due to climate change increase the risk of major air pollution events, while altered atmospheric chemistry and changing weather patterns contribute to the formation and accumulation of air pollutants.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
